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Category Archives: Fort Scott
FS Budget Issue Garners Signatures
Submitted by Michael J. Hoyt
“We had an exceptional day collecting signatures to place on a ballot for the voters to decide that the SEWER AND STORM SEWER FUNDS will be remain in the City of Fort Scott budget for that purpose. Many Electors voiced their opinion “Our sewers are in serious need of repair and the City must stop moving the money around and not fixing things!”We are well on the way to the required number of signatures required to place this referendum on a ballot, but organizers will be available to collect signatures in front of the Fort Scott Post Office on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 1pm until Oct 13th. We can also assist with registering to vote until that date which is the deadline to vote in the National election on November 3rd.”
FS Commission Special Meeting Agenda Sept. 21
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM
123 S MAIN STREET
SEPTEMBER 21, 2020
11:00 A.M
I. ROLL CALL:
K. ALLEN P. ALLEN NICHOLS WATTS MITCHELL
1. CONSENT AGENDA:
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Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1271-A totaling $428,590.44.
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Certificate of Appropriateness – 113 S. National – Signage and Alterations to building
II. CONSIDERATION:
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City Insurance Liability Update – James Charlesworth
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Acceptance of Community Development Block Grant No. 20-CR-004 – Mayco Ace Hardware – Approval to accept grant and for Mayor to sign all pertinent documents
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Kansas Housing Grant application opportunity
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Lauber Municipal Law Firm July Billing Statement
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Consideration of application of Cost Sharing Program through K.D.O.T.
III. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL
Fort Cinema Gets Creative In Offerings
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on movie theaters throughout the nation.
It has also impacted Fort Cinema, located at 224 W. 18th.
“We have lost 70% of our revenue during the same time frame from a year ago,” Brent Cavin, who has worked and managed the theater since 2007, said. “Blockbuster movies continue to be pushed back by studios.”
In spite of this, the cinema owners have had community support.
“The community has been great about supporting us with purchasing of concessions and gift cards. We take it as a sign that our citizens want to make sure the theater remains in Fort Scott.”
Cavin is co-owner of Anderson and Cavin LLC, with his brother-in-law, Chris Anderson, and they have been in talks with the current theater owners, Des and Amanda Hale, about purchasing the theater, he said.
Recently they introduced video game rentals on the big screen.
“It is $100 for two hours, $50 per additional hour,” Cavin said.
Participants must bring in a console that has wireless control to use on the big screen.
“We’ve hosted multiple parties already for: MarioKart, FortNite and Super Smash Brothers,” he said. “The parties are a great way to gather with family and friends.”
The business has been practicing measures to ensure safety for its customers.
The theater requires employees to wear masks during customer interaction, they have put seating gaps in the viewing parties and they “deep sanitize” all heavy traffic areas in-between shows and while open, he said.
“The (gaming) initiative was created as a means to provide a safe environment to gather and have fun during a pandemic,” he said. ” We have had a few parties already that asked privately if they could connect a console to our projectors. When we realized that the content looked incredible on our screen we decided to go public with the idea. We have had a lot of success with opening our theater to private movie parties in the last few months and wanted to expand upon that premise.”
Rentals take place outside of normal business hours, Monday through Thursday. A theater can be rented anytime before 4 p.m. or after 8:30 p.m. On Friday through Sunday, they can be rented anytime before 1:30 p.m. or after 8:30 p.m.
Video game rental prices are $100 for two hours, with additional hours at $50 an hour.
Any wireless controller console can work, and WiFi is available for online gaming.
The cinema also offers theater rentals for movies: Classic movies are $100, new releases are $200.
“I would also like the public to know that we are open every day of the week with new movies again,” Cavin said.
Contact on Fort Cinema Facebook page via Messenger, or call (620) 223-3366 during the business hours of 6:00 to 9:00 nightly.
FS Commission Special Meeting Sept. 21.
The Fort Scott City Commission will hold a special meeting on Monday September 21st, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main. This meeting is open to the public.
This meeting will be available on the City’s YouTube channel.
Fund Raiser For Harper Memorial: Updated 9/17
See the update from Misty Adams at the bottom of this feature.
Raymond Harper, 19, was kayaking at Lake Fort Scott on Sunday, Sept. 13 and went missing. On Sept. 14 a body was taken from the lake, for an autopsy to be performed.
Memorial services are planned for Harper on Sept. 21.
Misty Adams put this on her Facebook page yesterday.
“Chuck and Connie Harper of Fort Scott suffered a family loss no parent wishes to encounter. On the evening of Sunday, September 13th their beloved son, Raymond had an accident at the Fort Scott Lake while kayaking. His family in the past 24 hours have suffered so much, but today their worst fear became reality when Raymond’s body was recovered from the lake.”
“If you know Chuck and Connie you know these two have hearts of gold and both have been foster parents to a lot of children. They love others when others don’t. They help others when needed and give support when needed. They are special people to me and to many others.”
“Connie was recently diagnosed with cancer and has been battling that fight and now has to deal with the loss of a child. So much pain and suffering for one family who have a heart of gold.”
Adams asked the public to pray for the Harper family in the days ahead.
“I am also asking that our community supports this family like I know Fort Scott people can. We need to bless this family like they have other families and children who the Harper’s have been their foster family.”
“A memorial fund account was opened at Union State Bank today to cover funeral expenses. His funeral arrangements are under the care of Konantz Cheney. I ask that you help this family with the funeral expenses they are now burdened with. Our goal is to raise $15,000 for the family in the next few days ahead.”
“Please understand the $15K is just a number that we felt like would cover any and all expenses,” Adams said in an email interview. ” We do not even know if we will raise that much money, but anything we can do to ease the parent’s worry is a blessing. We are so very thankful to those who do contribute to his memorial fund.”
“Any money left over will stay in the memorial fund,” Adams said in the interview.
“Donations can be mailed to Union State Bank
PO Box 546 Fort Scott Ks 66701 or hand-delivered to their location at 1009 S Clark St Fort Scott Ks. Those wishing can also send a donation to Konantz Cheney Funeral Home at 15 W Wall St Fort Scott Ks 66701. Please make checks payable to Raymond Harper Memorial Fund.
“Please donate no amount is too small as every dollar is a blessing to this family. Please share this post to help spread the word and God Bless you all,️ Misty Adams, Tisha Miller and Sara Vaughn Mills.”
UPDATE
“God answered some prayers,” Adams told fortscott.biz “The funeral expenses are covered for the family. The Harper family wasn’t sure how to cover such a large expense unexpectedly, but our God answered their prayers. Connie Harper contacted me immediately yesterday, and we felt like the account needed to continue in his honor. We know we no longer need the goal we set forth for his funeral expenses, but if people are willing to donate towards the scholarship fund, we will accept funds in Raymond’s honor.”
“We will be turning the account into a Fort Scott High School Scholarship fund for cross-county athletes. The funds will be used to award a cross country Senior athlete a scholarship.”
“The Harper family and those organizing this memorial fund appreciate the prayers, support, generosity, and those who have contributed already to this amazing young man we are remembering. Thank you- Misty Adams, Tisha Miller, and Sara Mills.”
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Tiffnie Spears: New FS Fifth-Grade Teacher
A teacher at Fort Scott Middle School resigned in August and USD 234 had a fifth-grade teacher request to transfer to the middle school, creating a 5th-grade opening.
Tiffnie Spears is the new fifth-grade teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School in Fort Scott.
Tiffnie Spears, 29, graduated from Fort Scott High School in 2009 and graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications in 2013, then received her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Western Governors University in April of 2020.
“I was born and raised in Fort Scott and, as soon as I graduated from Wichita State, moved back home to be near my friends and family,” she said.
” I was able to do my internship hours with Mrs. Malone in the Fall of 2019 and did my student teaching with Mrs. Stepps this past Spring semester.”
She has been married to her husband, James, since 2011 and they have a 4-year-old son named Jacoby.
“My family loves to travel and our goal is to get Jacoby to as many states as possible before he graduates high school,” she said.
How did you become an educator?
“There wasn’t much that got me as excited than seeing my son, niece, and nephews grow and learn new things so I just knew I needed to go back to school to be a teacher. I was torn between following through with being a communication major or an educator so going back to school was a pretty easy choice.”
Did someone inspire you to teach?
“It was my son who inspired me to teach. After Jacoby was born, I knew I wanted to not only help him to grow and learn every day but to have a positive impact on as many children as possible.”
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“The ‘Ah-ha!’ moments are the best and most rewarding moments for me. Being able to see the positive impact you’ve made in helping that student succeed means everything.”
What is the greatest challenge in teaching?
“Starting my first year in the classroom during COVID-19 has so many obstacles but the students are doing so great with the changes we are all being faced with.”
Fund Raiser For Gordon Parks High School Kicks Off
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FLY THE U.S. FLAG TAKING NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS
Submitted by FRIENDS OF FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, KELLEY COLLINS, 417-684-2484
The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Inc. is taking new subscriptions for their “Fly the U.S. Flag” project. The Friend’s U.S. flag project provides homeowners and businesses, within the city limits of Fort Scott, the opportunity to fly the Stars and Stripes on five different flag holidays without the hassle of purchasing, erecting, and storing a flag and pole. You don’t even have to remember the holiday!
For $35 annually, the Friends will install a 3’x5′ flag on a 12-foot staff at your home or business on each of the following Flag Holidays in 2021:
Memorial Day
Flag Day
Fourth of July
Labor Day
Veteran’s Day
Sign up by October 8, 2020, and you will also get Veteran’s Day 2020 included in the offer–SIX DAYS for the price of FIVE!!!
Agreements can be obtained at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or can be emailed to you. Contact Kelley Collins at 417-684-2484 or Martha Scott at 620-224-9924 for further information.
All proceeds support programs at Fort Scott National Historic Site. These include Symbols of Sacrifice, a Citizenship Ceremony, Candlelight Tour, Youth Engagement, and many others.
Show your patriotism and help our local National Park by lining the streets of Fort Scott with our nation’s symbol!
The U.S. Flag Project is a yearly project sponsored by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site. This offer is for new subscribers only. Current subscribers will be mailed a renewal notice in January for the 2021 season.
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USD 234 Board of Education News Release
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, September 14, 2020
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Monday, September 14, for their regular monthly meeting.
President David Stewart opened the meeting. The board approved the official agenda. The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:
A. Minutes
B. Bills and Claims
C. Payroll – August 20, 2020 – $1,259,778.71
D. Financial Report
E. Activity Fund Accounts
One patron participated in the public forum.
Terry Sercer with Diehl, Banwart, Bolton, gave an audit report for the district with no violations of state statutes or federal regulations.
Board members heard a report from Brenda Hill, KNEA President.
In addition, reports were given by principals from each building on the beginning days of
school. The board heard reports from Dalaina Smith, Director of Academics; Ted Hessong, Superintendent; and Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk.
Board members approved contracts for provision of educational services, the 2020-21 Emergency Operation Plan, and the appointment of Ted Hessong as a USD 234 BEDCO representative.
Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting
The board approved the following employment matters:
A. Resignation of Shelley Rooks, middle school teacher aide, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year
B. Resignation of Haley Jones, high school paraprofessional, effective September 10, 2020
C. Resignation of Julie Carpenter, high school paraprofessional, effective September 16, 2020
D. Employment of Carissa Bowman as high school FCCLA sponsor for the 2020-21 school year
The board adjourned.
Chamber Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet Oct. 6
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Body Found at Lake Fort Scott
On September 13, 2020, Fort Scott Police and Fire Departments, Fort Scott Rural Fire, Bourbon County EMS and Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office responded to a missing person call at Fort Scott Lake. Kansas Wildlife and Parks along with an Air Methods helicopter also assisted in the search.
Raymond Harper, 19, of Fort Scott, had been kayaking in the lake.
His kayak had been found but friends were unable to locate Harper.
First responders searched until 1:15 a.m. on Sept. 14, when the search was stopped until daybreak.
Kansas Highway Patrol joined in the search today. Sheriff Bill Martin reached out to the Overland Park Dive Team and Fire Chief Dave Bruner to the Newton County Dive Team to assist in the search.
At 1:53 p.m. today, a body was found, that was suspected to be Harper’s. The body was sent to Frontier Forensics for an autopsy.
“At this time our thoughts and prayers are with the Harper family,” Fort Scott Police Captain Jason Pickert, said.